Protecting myself from HIV

[GDrom]

Docs,

Recently at work I was gouged by a plastic object someone tossed to me. The gouge was not incredibly deep. Although there was blood, the amount of blood present didn't require me to wash my hand or anything like that. The wounds circumference was about the size of a pencil eraser.  I went back to my desk and put a squirt of foaming hand sanitizer on my cut. And then a band-aid. I didn't think anything else of it. A few days ago I found out a co-worker of mine is HIV positive and it set my mind racing.

In particular I worried that what if my hiv + co-worker used the same hand sanitizer when he got a cut. Would left over blood be a possibility? Would the sanitizer I applied to my wound destroy the virus?

You have stated on other threads that "No unsafe sex and No shared injection equipment = No Hiv risk." Is this a safe rule for me to live by (I cut myself often at work, nothing serious, but good sized paper cuts)?

Thanks in advance for answering, the last week has seen me very worried.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Correct.  EWH

[GDrom]

Thanks, Doctor. I assume I also am not at risk from the possibility of blood on the plastic item that wounded me (or any other non-sexual, non-drug injection situation?)

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  I understand your concern and hope my comments will help to put you mind at rest.  Your use of the hand sanitizer that MIGHT have been used by an HIV infected co-worker at a time when you have a recent wound does not put you at risk for transmission of HIV.  For starters the hand sanitizer is designed to kill viruses and bacteria and does so very well.  At optimal circumstances, in the human body the HIV virus lives only a few hours.  Outside of the body, in the environment it lives only a few minutes at most and as I said above, were it to come into contact with hand sanitizer, would die almost immediately.  There is no risk to the events you are concerned about (which may or may not happen).  No need for worry, no need for testing  EWH